Zunilda Sarete, New York CityMember Since September 2010Artist Statement I take pictures because it is my passion to capture the beautiful wonders of this planet and with it heal the world.

Although I was born on a beautiful tropical Island (Dominican Republic) I had the fortune to live in New York City since the age of two. I feel blessed to have always lived near nature and gifted with many artistic talents. As a child I had a strong desire to heal others and loved to create pictures (drawing, painting,collage and photography).

My parents owned a garment construction factory, hence I was influenced to design clothing. I studied art and advertising at a community college in order to apply to NYC's best fashion design school, FIT. I graduated in 1981 and landed a job as an assistant designer for a sweater manufacturer. I was shortly promoted to designer and stayed in the field for ten years.

I got married in 1990 and moved to the suburb where I decided to get my BFA and art teaching certification. I graduated summa cum laude in 1994 and started teaching art at a JHS in Queens, NY for eight years and at a HS for two years. I got my MFA in the history of art from Pratt Institute in 2000.

I have been living in Brooklyn, NY for the past 16 years across the street from the most beautiful park (Prospect Park) where I get most of my inspiration and subject matter. I stopped teaching in September of 2004 and have picked up my camera as a healing tool. I draw, paint and take pictures in an effort to create my own art after so many years of designing for others and teaching others to create their art.

I have a strong desire to produce inspiring images that possess the power to heal. I joined a photography internet community called flickr that has motivated me to consistently produce high quality images that are admired by many world wide. As an artist I get the most pleasure creating photo-art through photo-manipulation. I use my imagination to produce inspiring images that are spiritually lifting through capturing the light I see in nature. Through photography I attempt to reveal the wonder and natural beauty found in this world. I want people to see the magic and divinity I perceive. I want my art work to touch peoples' soul and communicate a feeling of tranquility, faith, hope, love and peace. My life's purpose is to create art in order to contribute to healing the world.